Alternatives to Haagen Daaz...That actually taste just (almost) as good!

Recently, there was a blurb in US Weekly that polled celebrities, who had to gain weight for movie roles, about what they ate to pack on the pounds. Jared Leto said that he gained eighty pounds from buying pints of Haagen Daaz ice cream, allowing the frozen product to melt, and drinking the rich, creamy goodness up with a straw...Multiple times per day!

That article made me start thinking about my severe junk food habit, Haagen Daaz addiction, and the 15 pounds that I wanted to lose before my dreaded high school reunion in October. For my lifestyle, it's not logical that I completely cut out sweets or go on a "carbohydrate sabbatical" diet. So with a little help from living where I do, meaning having access to amazing markets and grocery stores, and the recent frozen yogurt craze that has taken America by storm (ahem, Pinkberry), I don't feel as restricted from my favorite unhealthy indulgences, leading me to binge on cupcakes and Haagen Daaz's Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream.

Without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to two of my favorite diet lifesavers that have helped satisfy my sweet tooth during this extremely rough time (Wait a minute, who am I kidding? I'm always dieting!):

1) Fage Total 2% Yogurt with Honey: There's just something creamier, richer and thicker about Greek yogurt, especially when paired with honey. You can't beat the flavor combination. Fage's conveniently packaged product comes in a single cup, yet divided in two parts, separating the honey from the yogurt. There's nothing I'd rather eat for breakfast!

2) Red Mango frozen yogurt: On those long, lonely nights when my hands start shaking and I begin going in to "junk food withdrawls," I grab my keys and slip on my flip flops and run out the door. Instead of turning left en route to the deli to grab a pint of Haagen Daaz, I head right and walk straight to my favorite new frozen yogurt spot, Red Mango. The yogurt itself is 100% all-natural, fat-free, gluten-free and certified Kosher. Plus, all of their toppings are semi guilt-free. Think along the lines of fresh fruit, nuts, granola (my personal favorite), mochi and dry cereal.